President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for reducing migration costs, taking strict action against fraud and broker syndicates, and expanding overseas employment opportunities to protect migrant workers’ rights and ensure safe migration.
He made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and the "Sonar Manush Sammilan 2026" at the Ruposhi Bangla Hall of Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The president said remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis were the lifeblood of the country, improving the lives of millions of families and strengthening the national economy.
The state had a responsibility to recognise the labour, sacrifices and contributions of migrant workers, he added.
Highlighting the role of expatriate Bangladeshis in the struggle against fascism, including during the July mass uprising, he said their contributions had demonstrated that they were an integral part of the country’s economic and national life.
The president called on Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad to become more proactive and worker-friendly. He also stressed the need to diversify overseas employment destinations by expanding opportunities in Europe and other Asian countries amid emerging challenges in the Middle East.
He cautioned against repeating the previous government's policy of sending female workers to the Middle East as "khaddamas" (domestic workers), calling for a coordinated national strategy to improve migration management.
The president also presented awards to individuals and organisations in recognition of their contributions to migration research, policy development, migrant rights and related services. The honours included the "Sonar Manush Award" and the "Best Remittance-Using Family Award".
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government was aware of allegations against recruiting and travel agencies over excessive recruitment fees and fraud involving fake visas.
Under the prime minister’s directives, the government had taken coordinated initiatives to address these problems and reduce the suffering of people who sold their land and property to finance overseas employment but were not guaranteed jobs, he said.
The government also planned to provide accommodation, hostel facilities and medical services for female migrant workers, while supporting the education and healthcare of expatriates’ families.
He said initiatives had been taken to expand vocational training, language education and other support services in collaboration with private institutions and grassroots organisations. He expressed hope that training activities would be fully launched in December.
Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon said the country had been kept dependent on imports through what he described as a deep conspiracy over the past 17 years.
Beyond financial exploitation, the objective had been to weaken the country, he said, adding that it was time to move away from the policies of the previous government.
He said the government was working on a policy for expatriates and urged the relevant ministry and officials to give the issue due attention. He also praised RMMRU for its longstanding work with migrant communities.
Dr Neil Adger, professor of human geography at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, said South Asian countries could address climate-related risks and losses more effectively through regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
A united regional voice could also strengthen their positions in international climate negotiations, he said, calling for the next decade to be a significant period for advancing migration issues and addressing the effects of climate change.
In her keynote address on policy priorities for the next decade, RMMRU Executive Director Dr Tasneem Siddiqui stressed the need for stronger international cooperation to protect migrant workers’ rights.
She called for effective implementation of the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and urged countries to counter xenophobia and hostility towards foreigners.
As South Asian countries are primarily sources of migrant workers, their governments must build unity and work collectively at the international level to secure workers’ rights, safety and dignity, she said.
Siddiqui added that individual initiatives alone would not bring about the necessary changes, making regional cooperation and long-term policy reforms essential.
The closing session reviewed RMMRU’s 30 years of research, policy dialogue and advocacy on migration rights, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to ensure safe and orderly migration and uphold the rights and dignity of migrant workers.
